Chengdu Panda Base: Complete Visitor Guide (2025)

Seeing giant pandas in person is a bucket-list experience. The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is the best place in the world to do it—home to over 200 pandas in a naturalistic setting just outside Chengdu city.

This guide covers everything you need for a successful panda visit.

Quick Facts

Info	Details
Location	10km north of Chengdu city center
Hours	7:30 AM - 6:00 PM (last entry 5:00 PM)
Ticket price	¥55 (full), ¥27 (discounted)
Time needed	3-4 hours
Best time	8:00-10:00 AM
Pandas	200+ giant pandas, 100+ red pandas

When to Visit

Best Time of Day: Early Morning

Go early. This is the most important tip.

Pandas are most active during morning feeding time (8:00-10:00 AM). By afternoon, they're usually sleeping in trees, visible but not doing much.

Optimal schedule:

• Arrive at opening (7:30 AM)
• See adult pandas during breakfast
• Visit baby pandas (if present)
• Red pandas and other enclosures
• Leave by 11:00 AM or stay for lunch

Best Seasons

Spring (March-May): Comfortable weather, pandas active Autumn (September-November): Similar to spring, beautiful scenery Winter (December-February): Pandas are more active in cool weather, fewer tourists Summer (June-August): Hot, pandas mostly sleeping, crowded

When to Avoid

• Chinese national holidays — Extreme crowds
• October Golden Week — Book months ahead or skip
• Weekends — Busier than weekdays
• Afternoons — Sleepy pandas, longer lines

Tickets and Booking

Ticket Prices

Type	Price
Adult (full price)	¥55
Students (with ID)	¥27
Children (6-18)	¥27
Children under 6	Free
Seniors (65+)	Free

How to Buy Tickets

Online (recommended):

• Official WeChat mini-program
• Trip.com or Ctrip
• Klook

On-site:

• Ticket windows at entrance
• Longer queues, especially mornings

Booking tips:

• Book 1-3 days in advance for regular days
• Book 1-2 weeks ahead for holidays/weekends
• Passport required for ticket purchase

Sightseeing Vehicle (Optional)

The base is large (247 acres). Options:

• Walking: Free, 3-4 hours needed
• Electric vehicle: ¥10, loops through the base
• Recommendation: Walk the main areas, vehicle if tired

Getting There

From Chengdu City Center

Metro + Bus (Cheapest):

1. Take Metro Line 3 to Panda Avenue Station (熊猫大道站)
2. Transfer to Panda Bus (D025) to the base
3. Total time: 60-90 minutes
4. Cost: ~¥5

Didi/Taxi:

• From city center: ¥50-80
• Time: 30-45 minutes (traffic dependent)
• Most convenient option

Organized Tour:

• Half-day tours from ¥200-400
• Include transport and guide
• Book via hotels or Trip.com

Bus:

• Tourist bus from various points
• Check routes at your hotel

From Chengdu Airport

Tianfu Airport (TFU):

• 60km away, 1-1.5 hours by taxi
• Consider visiting on arrival/departure day

Shuangliu Airport (CTU):

• 35km away, 45-60 minutes by taxi
• Metro possible but time-consuming

What You'll See

Giant Pandas (大熊猫)

The main attraction. Areas include:

Adult Panda Enclosures:

• Multiple outdoor yards
• Indoor viewing during bad weather
• Most active 8:00-10:00 AM

Sub-Adult Pandas:

• "Teenage" pandas
• Often more playful than adults
• Great photo opportunities

Panda Cubs (Seasonal):

• Baby pandas born July-September
• Viewing available after ~3 months old
• Most popular area—expect crowds
• Check if cubs are available before visiting

Panda Kitchen:

• Watch pandas being fed
• See bamboo preparation
• Indoor viewing area

Red Pandas (小熊猫)

Often overlooked but adorable:

• Separate enclosure area
• More active throughout day
• Easier to photograph
• Less crowded

Other Animals

• Swan Lake
• Peacocks
• Native birds

Panda Museum

• History of panda conservation
• Breeding program information
• Interactive exhibits
• Good for hot/rainy weather

Tips for the Best Experience

Photography Tips

• Morning light is best
• Telephoto lens helpful (pandas may be distant)
• Patience—wait for pandas to move
• No flash photography
• Glass enclosures can cause reflections

Beating Crowds

• Arrive at opening (7:30 AM)
• Start with less popular areas, circle back
• Visit during lunch hour (locals eat, crowds thin)
• Weekdays over weekends
• Skip the electric vehicle queue—walk

What to Bring

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Water bottle (refill stations available)
• Snacks (limited food options inside)
• Umbrella (rain or sun)
• Camera with zoom
• Patience

What NOT to Do

• ❌ Flash photography
• ❌ Feeding pandas (illegal)
• ❌ Throwing objects
• ❌ Making loud noises
• ❌ Climbing barriers
• ❌ Bringing pets

Panda Volunteer Program

Want to get closer? The base offers a volunteer program:

What you do:

• Clean enclosures
• Prepare food
• Brief panda interaction (sometimes)

Details:

• Cost: ¥1,800-2,000 per person
• Duration: Half day
• Advance booking required (weeks ahead)
• Age restrictions apply

Is it worth it? For panda superfans, yes. For casual visitors, regular admission is sufficient.

Eating at the Panda Base

Options inside:

• Several cafeterias and snack shops
• Panda-themed treats (buns, ice cream)
• Average quality, tourist prices
• Limited seating at peak times

Recommendation:

• Eat breakfast before arriving
• Bring snacks
• Have a proper meal after leaving

Combining with Other Chengdu Attractions

Same day options:

• Morning: Panda Base (leave by 11 AM)
• Afternoon: Wenshu Temple, Jinli Street, or People's Park

Don't miss in Chengdu:

• Sichuan cuisine (hotpot, mapo tofu)
• Jinli Ancient Street
• Wide and Narrow Alleys
• Sichuan Opera face-changing show

Other Panda Viewing Options

If the main base is too crowded:

Dujiangyan Panda Base:

• 60km from Chengdu
• Fewer tourists
• Better volunteer program
• Full day trip

Wolong National Nature Reserve:

• Pandas in more natural setting
• 130km from Chengdu
• Less accessible but more authentic

Bifengxia Panda Base:

• Near Ya'an city
• Larger grounds
• Good alternative

Practical Information

Contact

• Website: www.panda.org.cn
• Phone: +86 28 8351 0033

Address

成都市成华区外北熊猫大道1375号 1375 Panda Road, Chenghua District, Chengdu

Facilities

• Clean restrooms throughout
• Wheelchair accessible paths
• Nursing rooms
• Lockers at entrance
• Free WiFi (patchy)

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Quick Checklist

Before visiting:

• Book tickets online (1-3 days ahead)
• Arrange transportation
• Check weather forecast
• Charge camera/phone
• Pack snacks and water
• Plan early morning arrival

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Planning your Chengdu trip? The China Survival Kit includes Chengdu city guides, Sichuan food recommendations, and transportation tips.